Occupy Sydney Headline Animator

Wednesday, 20 June 2012

Occupy Sydney offer our unreserved solidarity and support for Julian Assange and Wikileaks and applaud Ecuador for placing their UN obligations ahead of economic and political considerations - so far . In breaking news this morning Wikileaks founder and Truthteller Julian Assange is bunkered in the Ecuadorean Embassy in London having sought asylum. Reports that Assange will also renounce his Australian citizenship should come as no surprise. The Australian government has afforded Assange far less support than even convicted drug dealers , yet he has not been charged with any crime.

Given Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard's demonstrated disdain for truth it would be fair to say that the Australian Government's failure to use all (if any) available resources in defending Wikileaks and Assange's rights to tell the truth is at least consistent. The Australian Government's of both Labor and Coalition has much to fear from its voters and constituents if they knew the truth about their government's collusion against their interests with international and local corporate conglomorates and foreign governments. What have government and corporations got to fear? Julian Assange:..So we released a lot of information about how the US empire works. And I don't want to use that word 'empire' in a sort-of classic 1960's Latin American radical way, because people close their minds. But if you read the State Department cables, for example, you see that that is the brain of the US empire's relationships with its foreign counterparts. And that's got everything from how it conducts its business relationships to arms sales and various procedures to get young leaders from around the world embedded into Washington think tanks and then send them back out. Now, it's not just information that we've released that's interesting, but the back reaction to that. So everything we've released is some degrees in the past, but the reaction to our publishing is happening right now. And that defines certain contours of power relationships in the United States and between the United States and the UK and England which were unexpected to a lot of people.

There's a lot of profit at risk if people are able to know the unsanitised truth.

I am writing in support of Mr. Julian Assange's application for political asylum in your country, as I believe he is in the dangers he has outlined to you in his application.

Also, I would like to bring your attention to the following facts:

He is only wanted for questioning in Sweden for what amounts to misdemeanor level offences.

The Supreme Court of the Republic of Ireland has ruled that it is illegal to use European Arrest Warrants for the mere questioning of a potential subject. This means that the precedent for the handling of such warrants has been set in the Irish Courts, and therefore, across the whole of the European Union.

Therefore, by refusing Mr Assange's case, the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom has acted unlawfully in rejecting his claim that Sweden does not have jurisdiction to extradite him for questioning without first being charged with a criminal offence.

Finally, our law courts no longer serve We the People as they have become treasonous against us, setting punitive sentences against the lower classes while allowing the ruling elites to get away with their crimes relatively unscathed. I would like to refer you back to both the Houses of Parliament expenses scandal and the punishments meted out upon the rioters of August 2011. The few MPs and Lords that were prosecuted were given unduly lenient sentences while working and middle class rioters were handed down extremely draconian sentences which were unlawful and unconstitutional according to the British 1689 Bill of Rights, and I quote:

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

This Thursday 21st June, 201212 noon@ 4-6 Bligh Street Sydney (Bob Carr's office)"The UN Rio Earth Summit – a meeting of world leaders from June 20-22 in Brazil – is supposed to be “a chance to move away from business-as-usual” and create sustainable solutions to the world's most serious environmental problems.

You’ll never guess what the Australian government’s answer to the environmental problems caused by mining is: more mining of course!

The Australian government will be talking up the importance of 'sustainable mining' to the planet's future.

Communities across Australia are struggling to deal with the social and environmental costs of the ‘mining boom’. Far from being best practice, Australian state and federal governments are enabling the encroachment of coal seam gas and LNG across the nation, major port expansions in Queensland and NSW, uranium expansion and the imposition of a nuclear waste repository on indigenous land at Muckaty station outside Alice Springs.

Overseas the impact of Australian firms has put the nation into disrepute. For instance, the impacts of BHP and Rio Tinto’s operations in Papua New Guinea are still playing out.

We need real climate solutions, not more coal mines! An immediate transition to renewable energy and the shutting down of coal-fired power stations, a moratorium on exploration of new and unconventional coal and gas energy sources, and adequate compensation and investment in green jobs in affected communities.

For more information read our open letter to Bob Carr, or contact Friends of the Earth Sydney - sydney@foe.org.au

AGENDA ITEM: PROPOSAL THAT AMBER & GLEN WALL BE REIMBURSED / PARKING FINES PAID (total amount under $400) from Legals Fund.Wallace Amber & Glenn William Wall placed a request at a GA some months ago for reimbursement of fines for parking offences .These were incurred on some of the many occasions when Amber arrived at short notice to assist occupiers under stress from police attacks. I understand that Wenny Theresia in her capacity as curator of Legals Funds is across the matter but has responsibly asked the GA to reaffirm the previous consent.

AGENDA ITEM: Occupy Sydney Policy on Paying / assisting with Fines. Following a lengthy discourse on a particular fines payment request which became controversial (in this group) a policy or protocol should be put in place as a point of reference. This could be a) that we pay them b) that we do not pay them c) that we assess on a case by case basis d) that we pay in this instance but not in that. Some other protocol altogether . PROPOSAL: That we accept the aforementioned statement as the basis for a WORKING GROUP to form to recommend back to GA a firm and fair policy which incorporates the diverse values of the people within Occupy Sydney . I would be happy to form this working group (as I'm known for fairness & impartiality (LOL) ) and encourage Jacquelene Drinkall Alex Parissi and others who are passionate about their viewpoint to participate in this WG. I recommend that the Working Group be notified at all GAs and reportback in a month to give all interested adequate time to participate.

AGENDA ITEM: ( Jacquelene Drinkall ) Parking fines only be paid by legal budget (as passed already), but that this should be a last resort and case by case occurrence, only when written dispute letters (help given by osyd if necessary) have failled to have fines withdrawn. Fines only paid if the payee agrees to supply receipt and sincere thanks to Occupy Sydney for this payment. No use use of the money for other purposes will be tolerated, and nor will boasting about using the money for other purposes, as this is considered to against the principals of Occupy Sydney. Fines are not to be paid out of the any other osyd budget (as already blocked) unless that budget is considered to have a generous surplus where campaign building, materials creative action and information desk pamplets etc. are more than covered.AGENDA ITEM: Parking fines only be paid by legal budget (as passed already), but that this should be a last resort and case by case occurrence, only when written dispute letters (help given by osyd if necessary) have failled to have fines withdrawn. Fines only paid if the payee agrees to supply receipt and sincere thanks to Occupy Sydney for this payment. No use use of the money for other purposes will be tolerated, and nor will boasting about using the money for other purposes, as this is considered to against the core values of Occupy Sydney. Fines are not to be paid out of the any other osyd budget (as already blocked) unless that budget is considered to have a generous surplus where campaign building, materials creative action and information desk pamplets etc. are more than covered.

AGENDA ITEM: ( Jacquelene Drinkall ) Donation to Creative Action after a day of non-stop work for #M12 be returned by way of osyd budget whenever possible. This money was ordered to be given to Shelly, who spent all this money on a meal for two a half people, one of whom had strong ideological opposition to the purchase of food from Woollies. In contrast Creative Action needs funds and donations for new banner material and paints etc. for collective actions centred around the storage of Little Fish art trolley at Martin Place.

2. Proposal for a marque. Local Council event worker prepared to fight for occupy sydneys right to have a marque.

3. Proposal for a new occupy sydney petition calling for an injunction on secret nsw police operation named guilding that targeted the occupy sydney protests and for all citizens to be free from police harassment .Proposal from Greens councillor irene doutney whose prepared to put pressure on the government to stop operation guilding etc in support of any occupy sydney campaign action around that.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

The October 13-15 Anniversary Working Group meets at 5pm at the Occupy Site.

A working group will form online Occupy Sydney Events ... role will be to advise Occupy Sydney participants of potential to develop OSYD events... Group will convene here http://www.facebook.com/groups/399866986732395/ please ask to join if interested in participating

OCCUPATION: Call for Occupiers.Nights and mornings. Due to Darcy and Sadaka leaving and Shelly needing time to process other essential business the Occupation is again critically under manned. Especially interested in having people around who engage well with the public and are able to put out the Occupy message effectively (whatever that means to you ) .Critical times are mornings and evenings. EVEN IF YOU CAN MAKE IT FOR 2 HOURS PER WEEK.

Call for reportbacks from all working groups to next wednesday 27 June GA Proposal that all working groups which do not report (and are not known to be active) be considered defunct.

At Chris Retallack's solo exhibition expect to see a smorgasbord of visual delights. The oil paintings are conceptual, surreal and abstract. The concepts relate to life and death in the animal kingdom along with paintings of local performances.

http://facebook.com/events/120308641442095/

SQUAT ART PROJECT Friday 22 JuneSquat Art Project is fuelled by an alternative trash economy. It’s DIY, and free like a mangy dog roaming through bins living off scraps making love in the open. Fuck waiting for art galleries to notice us or getting knockbacks for government grants. And fuck living in f...See More http://www.facebook.com/events/199861086787135/

AN ACTION PACKED FREE SCHOOL OF OCCUPY SYDNEY

Starting at Iberoamerican Plaza, Central Station, next to the Devonshire/Chalmers St exit (Sydney)Yet another different free school...

We talk alot about popular education...

Paulo Freire: "In problem-posing education, people develop their power to perceive critically the way they exist in the world with which and in which they find themselves; they come to see the ...See More http://www.facebook.com/events/150965461704537/

SOLIDARITY With HONDURAS

Saturday, June 23, 201211:00am until 12:15pmIberoamerican Plaza, Central Station, near Devonshire Street (Sydney, Australia)RALLY: International Day of Solidarity with HondurasSaturday 23 June 2012 @ 11am

Denounce the coup in Honduras!End the Political Killings, Human Rights Violations and Environmental Exploitation!...See More http://www.facebook.com/events/244419742337364/

WALK TOGETHER SYDNEYSaturday, June 23, 20121:00pm until 4:00pmIt's time to walk together!

Walk Together is an opportunity for all Australians to celebrate all that we have in common, to call for an end to the politics of fear and division and to recognise that we've all come from different beginnings to be a part of the Australian ...See Morehttp://www.facebook.com/events/158754417588080/

WORLD REFUGEE DAY PROTEST SYDNEY SUNDAY JUNE 24

1:00pm until 3:30pm*End mandatory detention—20 years too long! *Free the refugees!*No offshore processing!*No deportations!*No crime to seek asylum, no crime to bring the boats!...See More

http://www.www.facebook.com/events/158754417588080/

Events beyond the next GA

July 1 OCCUPY SYDNEY SOLIDARITY BANNER WORKSHOP...

RALLY FOR JULIAN ASSANGE 1 JULY by WACA http://www.facebook.com/events/150965461704537/

Thursday, 7 June 2012

As student debt surpasses trillion dollar mark, students express frustration with not so bright future ahead of them

NEW YORK, NY(June 5, 2012) - Burdened by debt and silenced by the media, graduating students will exeunt the college stage with a silent, but firm expression of their angst and frustration. Some students will wear blow up ball-and-chain shackles to symbolize their financial distress, while others will write the amount of college loans they owe on top of their caps at their graduation ceremonies.

On April 25, 2012, the debt of American students surpassed the trillion-dollar mark. It is for this reason that students at small and large colleges and universities across the nation will bear symbolic props and statements that reflects what lays ahead for them.

Institutions signed up to participate in this nationwide demonstration include, George Washington University (graduation ceremony - Thursday, May 17), CU Boulder (Friday, May 11), and the University of North Carolina (Sunday, May 13), where New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg will conduct the commencement speech honors. We have recently added the University of Washington and Ohio University(Saturday, June 9), and, Oregon State University (Sunday, June 17). We expect many more schools to sign up in the coming weeks.

Occupy Graduation urges students to participate. Signing up is as easy as organizing a group of 10 or more students and then visiting the Occupy Graduation website at http://occupygraduation.org/. Please note, this demonstration is a way to express student frustration without destroying graduation or disrespecting the meaning of this event for classmates and parents.

Organizing students interested in more ideas on how to effectively and respectfully be “heard” on graduation are encouraged to visit the website. In addition, students interested in purchasing the staple ball-and-chain props, but unable to do so for financial reasons, can contact Occupy Graduation for a reduced rate.

Written for Occupy Graduation by Diana Delgado. Ms. Delgado is a freelance writer primarily focused on government, politics, women and Hispanic/Latino issues. She is also a public relations professional with experience in the private, public and non-profit sectors. Ms. Delgado has been on board with Occupy Colleges since October 2011. She holds a graduate degree from Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey, and is based out of New York, New York. Please follow her on Twitter: @dduchessny

According to the most recent figures(provided by the New York University School of Law), 17,638 Indian farmers committed suicide in 2009 — about one death every 30 minutes. In 2008, theDaily Mail labeled the continual and disturbing suicide spree as ‘The GM (genetically modified) Genocide’. Due to failing harvests and inflated prices that bankrupt the poor farmers, struggling Indian farmers began to kill themselves. Oftentimes, they would commit the act by drinking the very same insecticide that Monsanto supplied them with — a gruesome testament to the extent in which Monsanto has wrecked the lives of independent and traditional farmers.

Mr Jayant Verma of Hamara Beej Abhiyan said that companies like Monsanto were notorious for their anti-farmer activities and if GM seeds like Monsanto's GM Corn are allowed, farmers' rights over their seeds and therefore, their agriculture, would be seriously jeopardized. The state government should, as a real solution to the current agrarian distress in the state, should shift farmers towards low-cost, toxic-free ecological farming practices, he said.The GM Corn trial underway in open air conditions in Jabalpur consists of Monsanto's proprietary technologies centred around herbicide tolerance and insect-resistance and has been sown with the permission of the Central Government. "Both Agriculture and Health are state subjects as per the Indian Constitution. The state government should immediately intervene and exercise its policy of making MP into an organic state", demanded Mr Nilesh Desai of Beej Swaraj Abhiyan.

It is also apparent that the state level apparatus laid down under the Environment Protection Act's 1989 Rules is missing in Madhya Pradesh.

"It is ridiculous to pump in crores of rupees for supporting rural employment in the form of NREGA and then take away existing employment potential in agriculture, especially for women and poor agricultural workers, by bringing in technologies like herbicide tolerance", stated Mr Brij Kishore Chaurasia of Adivasi Sushasan Sangh.

"GM crops do not increase yields as claimed by the industry and pro-GM scientists and it is apparent in the case of Bt Cotton in Madhya Pradesh. This technology, which is irreversible and uncontrollable, will be a bigger trap for farmers than the earlier corporate-driven agricultural technologies. The state government, for the sake of farmers and agricultural workers in Madhya Pradesh, should immediately destroy this trial plot and not allow any more trials in the state like other states like Kerala", said Mr Ishwar Tripathi of Bhartiya Kissan Union. "In this kind of neo-colonialism, agriculture and seeds have become the medium to enslave Indian farmers and we should resist this at all costs".

Mr Sachin Jain from the Right To Food Campaign, MP informed that GM foods are known to cause many adverse health effects and with such unsafe foods, a precautionary approach is the only way forward. He demanded that GM foods should be prohibited through the proposed Right to Food/National Food Security Act.

Saturday, 2 June 2012

Anti-Flag are on the 2012 Australian tour with Strike Anywhere and The Flatliners and will be dropping by Occupy Sydney in Martin Place this Saturday Arvo from 12-2pm
International and Local Bands including Anti-Flag will be playing an Acoustic protest to anyone and everyone who'll appreciate it, as well as weekend Bankers, in Martin Place.
Also:
- Shane, an occupier from Perth, will be doing some short but sweet stand up.
- an open discussion group on "Creativity, Communication and Dissent" looking at the role of music and bands in political movements and the struggle for change which Occupy Sydney has maintained for 232 days this Saturday !
All will be welcome,
Please Respect Occupy Sydneys' No Drinking No Drugs agreements whilst in Martin Place
http://www.anti-flag.com/ - Tour Dates